The Effects of Commuting on Pilot Fatigue

This report discusses the policy, economic, and regulatory issues that affect pilot commuting, and outlines potential next steps, including recommendations for regulatory or administrative actions, or further research by the FAA. This issue reviews research and other information related to the prevalence and characteristics of commuting; to the science of sleep, fatigue, and circadian rhythms; to airline and regulatory oversight policies; and to pilot and airline practices.

In summer 2010 the U.S. Congress directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to update the federal regulations that govern pilot flight and duty time, taking into account recent research related to sleep and fatigue. As part of their directive, Congress also instructed FAA to have the National Academy of Sciences conduct a study on the effects of commuting on pilot fatigue.

Table of Contents
Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction
2 The U.S. Airline Industry and Pilot Commuting
Commuting: Background
Commuting in Aviation
Stakeholders’ Comments
Aviation Industry Characteristics
Changes in Industry Patterns
Airline Policies and Practices
3 Aviation Safety and Pilot Commuting
Aviation Safety
Improvements in Aviation Safety
Fatigue-Related Aviation Accidents
Current Pilot Commuting Patterns
4 Sleep, Wakefulness, Circadian Rhythms, and Fatigue
Fatigue
Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Fatigue Management Technologies
5 Pilot Commuting and Fatigue Risk
Inadequate Sleep Prior to Flight Duty
Examples of “Favorable” and “Unfavorable” Commutes
Recommendation
6 Reducing the Risk of Fatigue from Commuting
Proposed FAA Rule Relevant to Fatigue
Fatigue Risk Management Plans and Systems
Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography and References
Acronyms
Glossary
Appendix A: Airlines, Associations, and Groups That Provided Written Input
Appendix B: Public Meeting Agendas
Appendix C: Summary of Stakeholder Response to Committee Request for Input
Appendix D: Qualitative Analysis of Selected Public Comments to Proposed Rules
Appendix E: Mainline Airlines Departures by City
Appendix F: Regional Airlines Departures by City
Appendix G: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff